Movements of Female Black Bears in Relation to Landscape Vegetation Type in Southern Quebec

Abstract

Few studies have examined the influence of distribution of vegetation types at the landscape level on movement of bears in and around a protected area. We analyzed movement and spatial use patterns of 19 adult female black bears (Ursus americanus) in relation to distribution of vegetation types in and near La Mauricie National Park (LMNP), Quebec, Canada, between July 1990 and December 1992. The home range of radiotracked females included a core area of 11.6 km 2 in 1991 (n = 9) and 13.3 km 2 (n = 14) in 1992. The proportion of locations in this core area was correlated (P < 0.050) with the availability of early-successional stands and maple-beech forests that provide 2 important food sources for bears (i.e., soft mast, beechnuts). In 1991-92, bears were located more often (P < 0.050) inside the park between late April and mid-July than during the period of soft-mast ripening between mid-July and mid-September. The declining use of the park during the period of soft-mast ripening was caused by the low occurrence of early-successional stands inside the park, and increased the vulnerability of female black bears to human-related mortality. This vulnerability would probably decrease if early-successional stands were maintained inside the park, and if a surrounding buffer zone was established. In this buffer zone, agriculture and residential developments should be prohibited, and hunting should be restricted to the spring period.